By JESSICA KERMAN
The Board of Public Safety voted Larry Russell to be the humane officer at the Anderson Animal Shelter.
Russell replaces Larry Davis, who was appointed to the position 20 years ago by Mayor J. Mark Lawler. The position of humane officer is the top managerial position at the animal shelter. Russell will be in charge of the budget, operations and personnel at the shelter.
Russell served four years in the Navy as a radar man. He spent 12 years as a carpenter and 17 years as a millwright. According to his résumé, for three months in 2006 Russell worked for the City of Anderson Transit System as a part-time driver of both fixed route and Nifty Lift buses. Russell also drove buses for D & Z Transportation as a bus driver for Anderson Community Schools.
While Russell has no experience in animal care or control, he said he could apply his work as a supervisor and businessman to the job.
With the dismissal of Davis, the animal shelter is left without a certified employee to euthanize or tranquilize animals. Dick Wiley, chairman of the Board of Public Safety, said Russell and co-worker Brad Cox would attend a training seminar in St. Louis to get certification in both areas.
The cost of training will be $229 each, which will be paid for by the city of Anderson.
The money was already allocated for training, Wiley said.
Mayor Kris Ockomon nominated Russell for the position.
“There’s been a dark cloud over our animal shelter for a long time,” Ockomon said.
Russell has ideas that will rid the shelter of its negative reputation, Ockomon said. These ideas include working with a board of representatives from several animal rights groups, promoting safe and responsible care for animals through education programs and requiring the spay or neuter of all animals older than six months to be done in the shelter.
“We will encourage people to come volunteering their time,” Ockomon said.
Tim Lanane, city attorney, said the administration would also be looking into creating law that would require pet shops to register animals when they are purchased.
“Larry Russell will be the best man for the job,” Ockomon said. “He has the openness, the willingness to learn.”
Until Russell is certified, local veterinarian Russell Brugar will be assisting the shelter with euthanizing unadoptable animals. Wiley did not know how much money it would cost the city to contract the work to an outside veterinarian, but did say the cost would be minimal.
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9:17 p.m.: Russell appointed to lead Animal Shelter
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